Voice of America, 99-05-04

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From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

CONTENTS

[01] NATO / KOSOVO (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[02] NATO / NEW WEAPON BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)

[03] BELGRADE POWER (S-L) BY CAROL PINEAU (BELGRADE)

[04] POWER/BELGRADE COPING UPDATE (S/L) BY CAROL PINEAU (BELGRADE)

[05] NATO/CLARK (L-ONLY) (CQ) BY TIM BELAY (TIRANA)

[06] KOSOVO DIPLOMACY (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[07] KOSOVO/DIPLOMACY UPDATE (S) BY NICK SIMEONE (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[08] U-N / ANNAN / CHERNOMYRDIN (S & L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[09] MACEDONIA / BOSNIAN REFUGEES BY LAURIE KASSMAN (RADUSA, MACEDONIA)

[10] MACEDONIA / REFUGEE HEALTH (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (BRAZDA, MACEDONIA)

[11] U-N-H-C-R / KOSOVO REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[12] CLINTON / KOSOVO ONITER (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[13] CLINTON-KOSOVO OVERNIGHTER(L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (WHITE HOUSE)

[14] CLINTON/KOSOVO ONITER (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[15] CONGRESS-KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[16] KOSOVO / U-S OPINION BY JIM MALONE (WASHINGTON)

[17] KOSOVAR LEADER IN U-S (L ONLY) CQ BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[18] HUNGARY/COUNCIL OF EUROPE (L-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

[19] SINN FEIN / MCGUINNESS (L-O) BY CANDACE WILLIAMS (WASHINGTON)

[20] FRANCE / CORSICA (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[21] FRANCE MERCENARY (L/S VER) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[22] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

[23] TUESDAY'S HEADLINES BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] NATO / KOSOVO (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO CONTINUES TO ATTACK YUGOSLAV FORCES IN KOSOVO. BUT AS V-O-A RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS, OFFICIALS DENY NATO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR AN ATTACK (MONDAY) AGAINST A BUS IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: NATO HAS MADE AN EXHAUSTIVE SEARCH OF ALL ITS ATTACKS ON KOSOVO MONDAY AND SAYS ITS AIRCRAFT IN WESTERN KOSOVO DID NOT HIT A CIVILIAN BUS BETWEEN THE TOWN OF PEC AND SERBIA'S BORDER WITH THE YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO.

SERB REPORTS SAY 20 PEOPLE ON THE BUS WERE KILLED AND BLAMED NATO.

SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY NATO INVOLVEMENT IN THE BUS ATTACK. A NATO OFFICIAL GOES FURTHER SAYING THE AREA OF THE INCIDENT IS A WOODED, HILLY COMBAT ZONE BETWEEN THE SERB ARMY AND THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY.

THE OFFICIAL SAYS BOTH SIDES USE CIVILIAN BUSES TO TRANSPORT TROOPS. FROM THE YUGOSLAV TELEVISION PICTURES OF THE BUS, THE OFFICIAL SPECULATES IT COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY SMALL ARMS AND MORTAR FIRE RATHER THAN NATO BOMBS.

NATO DID TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR BOMBING A CIVILIAN BUS SATURDAY WHEN IT CROSSED A BRIDGE IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/JWH
04-May-99 7:07 AM EDT (1107 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] NATO / NEW WEAPON BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NATO HAS USED A HERETOFORE SECRET BOMB TO ATTACK YUGOSLAVIA'S ELECTRICAL POWER GRID. FROM WASHINGTON, NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS ON THIS NEW WEAPON IN NATO'S ARSENAL.

TEXT: NATO WARPLANES HAVE BEEN POUNDING YUGOSLAV MILITARY TARGETS FOR MORE THAN 40 DAYS NOW WITH NO SIGNS OF ANY END TO THE AIR STRIKES.

NATO HAS TARGETED AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS, LINES OF COMMUNICATIONS -- INCLUDING BRIDGES, COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTERS, SERB TROOPS AS WELL AS PARAMILITARY FORCES.

BUT NATO HAS ALSO BROADENED THE SCOPE OF ITS AIR CAMPAIGN TO INCLUDE YUGOSLAVIA'S ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM. AND WHEN A FEW DAYS AGO NATO BOMBERS HIT SWITCHING STATIONS CAUSING POWER OUTAGES THROUGHOUT YUGOSLAVIA, THE WESTERN ALLIANCE LIFTED A VEIL ON A SECRET WEAPON -- THE CARBON, OR GRAPHITE BOMB.

NATO AND PENTAGON OFFICIALS HAVE REFUSED TO COMMENT ON THE WEAPON. SENIOR PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON TOLD REPORTERS THE WEAPON IS HIGHLY CLASSIFIED.

LOOK. WE HAVE CERTAIN WEAPONS WE DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS APPROPRIATE TO TALK ABOUT -- AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

HOWEVER JOHN PIKE -- MILITARY TECHNOLOGIES EXPERT AT THE "FEDERATION OF AMERICAN SCIENTISTS" -- SAYS THE CARBON BOMB IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO CAUSE SHORT CIRCUITS IN THE SWITCHING STATIONS THAT CONNECT POWER LINES TO THE REST OF THE ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.

BASICALLY AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IT IS A WARHEAD ON A CRUISE MISSILE THAT WHEN IT GETS OVER THE SWITCHING STATION, THE WARHEAD DETONATES AND SENDS OUT A LARGE CLOUD OF CARBON FILAMENTS THAT SINK ONTO THE DISTRIBUTION HARDWARE CAUSING SHORT CIRCUITS. THIS IS BASICALLY WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU STUCK A SCREWDRIVER INTO AN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE : IT WOULD BURN OUT THE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE BUT IT WOULD ALSO CAUSE A POWER SURGE THAT WOULD SHUT DOWN THE REST OF THE ELECTRICITY IN YOUR HOUSE. SO THEY HAVE NOT ONLY BURNED OUT SOME CRITICAL EQUIPMENT AT THE SWITCHING STATION, BUT THEY CAUSED A POWER SURGE ALL ACROSS THE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK THAT CAUSED A BLACKOUT OVER MOST OF THE COUNTRY.

NATO OFFICIALS SAY THE RECENT ATTACK ON YUGOSLAVIA'S POWER TRANSFORMERS TEMPORARILY SHUT OFF ELECTRICITY TO 70 PERCENT OF THE COUNTRY.

MR. PIKE SAYS THE CARBON BOMB IS AN UPDATED VERSION OF A WEAPON USED EARLIER THIS DECADE.

A SIMILAR WARHEAD WAS USED AGAINST IRAQ IN "OPERATION DESERT STORM" BACK IN EARLY 1991. THAT SYSTEM USED METAL FOILS - STRIPS OF METAL FOIL. THIS IS APPARENTLY AN IMPROVED WARHEAD THAT USES GRAPHITE FILAMENTS. THE GRAPHITE FILAMENTS ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU A BETTER COVERAGE OF THE AREA TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE SHORTING OUT AN AWFUL LOT OF SWITCHING EQUIPMENT AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE FILAMENTS DO NOT JUST GET BLOWN AWAY BY THE WIND.

MR. PIKE SAYS ELECTRICAL SWITCHING STATIONS ARE EASY TARGETS, SINCE THEY ARE LOCATED OUT IN THE OPEN. HE SAYS THEY GENERATE A LOT OF HEAT AND NEED A LOT OF CIRCULATING NATURAL AIR TO COOL DOWN.

AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAYS IT IS QUITE EASY TO DEFEND AGAINST A CARBON BOMB.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH A WEAPON LIKE THIS IS THAT THERE IS A FAIRLY STRAIGHTFORWARD WAY OF DEFEATING IT. IF AN ADVERSARY SIMPLY PUTS A ROOF OVER THESE SWITCHING STATIONS -- WHICH NORMALLY IS NOT DONE -- IT WOULD BE A LOT MORE DIFFICULT TO ATTACK THEM IN THIS WAY.

JOHN PIKE FROM THE "FEDERATION OF AMERICAN SCIENTISTS" SAYS IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW NATO CAN COME UP WITH ANOTHER TYPE OF WEAPON THAT CAN BE SO SPECIFICALLY TARGETED AGAINST ONE SYSTEM. BUT HE ALSO SAYS: "NATO MAY HAVE SOME OTHER TRICKS IT HAS NOT YET SHOWN US." (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/JO
04-May-99 11:35 AM EDT (1535 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BELGRADE POWER (S-L) BY CAROL PINEAU (BELGRADE)

INTRO: BELGRADE (CAPITAL OF YUGOSLAVIA) CONTINUES TO COPE WITH A POWER OUTAGE AS NIGHTLY NATO BOMBING MISSIONS TARGET THE CITY. CAROL PINEAU REPORTS FROM BELGRADE ON THE EFFECTS THE WAR IS HAVING ON THE CAPITAL..

TEXT: LIGHTS IN BELGRADE CONTINUES TO FLICKER ON AND OFF FOLLOWING A SECOND NIGHT WITHOUT POWER.

THE OUTAGE BEGAN ON SUNDAY NIGHT AT ABOUT 10:00 PM, BELGRADE TIME, WHEN NATO BOMBS KNOCKED OUT THE KEY OBRENOVAC TRASMITTING STATION, 20 KILOMETERS FROM THE CAPITAL. THE ATTACK TOOK OUT MUCH OF THE COUNTRY'S POWER GRID.

IN THE MARKETS TUESDAY, PEOPLE APPEARED TO BE PREPARING FOR THE WORST. THERE WAS A RUSH ON CANDLES, BATTERIES AND FOOD SUPPLIES THAT DO NOT NEED TO BE COOKED OR REFRIGERATED.

MONDAY NIGHT, AIR RAID SIRENS COULD BE HEARD THROUGHOUT THE CAPITAL. BUT THE BOMBING WAS LIGHTER THAN IT HAD BEEN SINCE NATO STEPPED UP ITS CAMPAIGN LAST WEEK.

IN NOVI SAD, NORTHWEST OF THE CAPITAL, THE TELEVISION STATION THERE WENT UP IN FLAMES AFTER BEING HIT. AND A MILITARY AIRFIELD OUTSIDE OF BELGRADE WAS BOMBED.

A NATO SPOKESMAN SAYS SOME OF THE BOMBS DROPPED CARBON FILAMENTS ON POWER LINES CAUSING MASSIVE ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUITS. THE WEAPON, CALLED A "SOFT BOMB", HAD BEEN USED IN IRAQ DURING THE 1991 PERSIAN GULF WAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/CP/PLM
04-May-99 6:59 AM EDT (1059 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] POWER/BELGRADE COPING UPDATE (S/L) BY CAROL PINEAU (BELGRADE)

INTRO: NATO HAS AGAIN INTENSIFIED ITS AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA LATE MONDAY. IN THE PAST FEW DAYS NATO WARPLANES CARRIED OUT OVER 600 SORTIES EACH DAY. CAROL PINEAU REPORTS FROM BELGRADE ON THE AFFECT THE WAR IS HAVING ON THE CAPITAL.

TEXT: A SMATTERING OF LIGHTS SHIMMER IN DOWNTOWN BELGRADE BUT FOR MOST OF THE CAPITAL IT IS THE SECOND EVENING IN DARKNESS. NATO BOMBS SUNDAY NIGHT KNOCKED OUT THE KEY OBRENOVAC TRANSMITTING STATION, 20 KILOMETERS FROM BELGRADE. THE ATTACK TOOK OUT MUCH OF THE COUNTRY'S POWER GRID.

A NATO SPOKESMAN SAYS THE BOMB DROPPED CARBON FILAMENTS ON POWERLINES, CAUSING MASSIVE ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUITS. THE WEAPON, CALLED A SOFT BOMB HAD BEEN USED IN IRAQ DURING THE GULF WAR.

LATE MONDAY THE GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED RADIO REPORTED THAT NATO WARPLANES HAD BOMBED THE NOVI SAD TELEVISION STATION BUILDING, LEAVING IT IN FLAMES AND SENDING A THICK CLOUD OF SMOKE OVER THE CITY. EXPLOSIONS WERE ALSO HEARD IN BELGRADE AREA.

EARLIER MONDAY CAFES WERE CLOSED IN THE MAIN PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS IN DOWNTOWN BELGRADE. BUT WITHOUT ELECTRICITY COFFEE WAS NOT ON THE MENU.

YUGOSLAV TELEVISION HAD REPORTED EARLIER POWER WAS TO BE RESTORED IN MOST PLACES BY MONDAY EVENING. LIGHTS DID FLICKER ON AND OFF THROUGH OUT THE DAY BUT, BY EARLY TUESDAY MORNING, FEW PLACES IN THE CAPITOL HAD FULL ELECTRICITY. THE POWER OUTAGE AFFECTED A VAST AREA -- FROM NIS IN THE SOUTH TO SOMBOR NEAR THE HUNGARIAN BORDER IN THE NORTH. IT IS THE WORST POWER OUTAGE IN THE 40-DAY BOMBING CAMPAIGN.

RESIDENTS SAY THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT HOW THEY WILL KEEP FOOD IN THE FRIDGE FROM SPOILING, HOW LONG GENERATORS CAN WORK WHEN THERE IS SO LITTLE FUEL IN THE CITY AND HOW -- WITHOUT TELEVISION AND RADIO -- THEY WILL KEEP ABREAST OF THE NEWS.

BUT THERE IS ALSO A SENSE OF DEFIANCE. ONE MAN SAID HE HAD INTENDED ON BUYING SOME NEW CLOTHES MONDAY. MOST OF THE STORES IN DOWNTOWN BELGRADE WERE CLOSED BECAUSE OF THE BOMBING. AND THOSE THAT WERE OPEN HAD NO LIGHTS. BUT THIS MAN SAID HE WASN'T GOING TO LET NATO STOP HIM FROM BUYING A NEW OUTFIT.

AN EDITOR OF A PUBLISHING HOUSE, NADA BOJIC, SAID SHE CAN NOT PUBLISH BOOKS NOW. SO SHE SAT A TABLE IN THE MARKET STREET SELLING BOOKS. HER COMMENTS EXEMPLIFIED THE DEFIANCE FELT BY MANY IN THE STREETS OF BELGRADE.

MS. BOJIC SAID SUNDAY NIGHT THEY HAD A ROMANTIC CANDLELIGHT DINNER IN THE BACKYARD UNDER A BEAUTIFUL FULL MOON. SHE SAYS NATO CANNOT DEFEAT THE SERBS. AT LEAST, NOT THEIR SPIRIT AND OPTIMISM.

NATO SAYS THE ATTACK IS PART OF ITS STEPPED UP CAMPAIGN TO DESTROY THE YUGOSLAV ARMY'S ABILITY TO OPERATE EFFECTIVELY.

YUGOSLAVIA IS ALREADY SUFFERING A SEVERE FUEL SHORTAGE CAUSED BY NATO'S EMBARGO. LAST WEEK, NATO REPORTED THE SHORTAGE HAD BECOME SO ACUTE THAT SOLDIERS WERE SIPHONING OFF GAS FROM CARS ABANDONED BY REFUGEES.

[05] NATO/CLARK (L-ONLY) (CQ) BY TIM BELAY (TIRANA)

INTRO: GENERAL WESLEY CLARK, NATO'S SUPREME COMMANDER, PAID HIS SECOND VISIT IN LESS THAN A WEEK (TUESDAY) TO TROOPS STATIONED (AT RINAS AIRPORT) NEAR TIRANA, ALBANIA. TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM THE ALBANIAN CAPITAL, THE AMERICAN OFFICER IS TALKING TOUGH [FORCEFULLY] ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST SERBIA.

TEXT: GENERAL CLARK MET ONLY BRIEFLY WITH REPORTERS INSIDE THE HEAVILY-GUARDED HEADQUARTERS OF WHAT IS CODE-NAMED "OPERATION SHINING HOPE." NATO SAYS IT CHOSE THAT MISSION NAME TO UNDERSCORE BOTH ITS MILITARY AND HUMANITARIAN OBJECTIVES.

IT IS COMPOSED OF "AFOR" [PRON: 'A-FOR] -- AN ACRONYM FOR THE "ALBANIAN FORCE" ASSISTING INTERNATIONAL RELIEF AGENCIES -- AND SOMETHING NATO CALLS "TASK FORCE HAWK," THE FIGHTING GROUP CENTERED AROUND THE TWO DOZEN "APACHE" HELICOPTERS RECENTLY ADDED TO THE NATO FIGHTING FLEET. GENERAL CLARK SAYS THESE SO-CALLED "TANK-BUSTER" HELICOPTERS ARE READY FOR ACTION IN KOSOVO, BUT THE QUESTION OF WHEN THEY WILL BE USED IS ONE HE WILL NOT ANSWER.

I AM NOT GOING TO SPECULATE ON ANY OPERATIONAL DETAILS WITH REGARD TO THE APACHES. I WILL TELL YOU THAT I HAVE GOT TREMENDOUS CONFIDENCE IN THEM. THEY ARE RIGHT ON TRACK IN TERMS OF THEIR CAPABILITIES TO TAKE THE FIGHT TO THE SERB FORCES. ... I AM SAYING THAT THEY ARE VERY VERY PREPARED RIGHT NOW. THEY ARE INCREASINGLY SHARPENING THEIR SKILLS, AND WE CERTAINLY INTEND TO USE THEM.

THE AIR CAMPAIGN IS PROVING EVERY DAY THAT WE ARE WINNING. [YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN] MILOSEVIC IS LOSING, AND HE KNOWS IT. AND I THINK THAT YOU CAN SEE THE EVIDENCE OF THAT IN SOME OF HIS POSTURINGS IN RECENT DAYS.

GENERAL CLARK SAYS NATO IS CONSIDERING SEVERAL MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO CONTINUED TROUBLE ALONG THE ALBANIA-YUGOSLAV BORDER. IN THE PAST MONTH, INCIDENTS HAVE INCLUDED GUN BATTLES BETWEEN THE ALBANIAN AND YUGOSLAV MILITARY, ARTILLERY SHELLING FROM YUGOSLAVIA INTO ALBANIA AND BORDER INCURSIONS BY YUGOSLAV FORCES.

THE NATO COMMANDER REPEATED THE ALLIANCE'S STANCE THAT IT TAKES BORDER VIOLATIONS BY YUGOSLAV FORCES -- TO USE HIS WORDS -- "VERY, VERY SERIOUSLY." (SIGNED) NEB/TB/PCF/RAE/WTW
04-May-99 6:02 PM EDT (2202 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO DIPLOMACY (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: RUSSIA'S EFFORTS TO BROKER AN END TO THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO HAVE FAILED TO PERSUADE THE NATO ALLIANCE TO HALT ITS BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN NO SIGN THAT BELGRADE IS READY TO YIELD TO NATO'S DEMANDS, THE UNITED STATES IS ENCOURAGING RUSSIA'S DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: WASHINGTON IS ENCOURAGING RUSSIA TO CONTINUE ITS KOSOVO SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY, BUT IS NOT YET SATISFIED WITH ANY OF THE PROPOSALS MOSCOW'S ENVOY, VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN, HAS PRESENTED.

NEITHER A SECOND DAY OF TALKS WITH THE RUSSIAN OFFICIAL NOR A VISIT TO BELGRADE THIS WEEK BY THE REVEREND JESSE JACKSON, AN UNOFFICIAL U-S ENVOY WHO BROUGHT BACK A LETTER FROM YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, HAS YIELDED ANY HOPE OF AN EARLY BREAKTHROUGH. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN:

AS FAR AS THE VARIOUS IDEAS THAT HAVE BEEN PRESENTED, EITHER THROUGH JESSE JACKSON OR THROUGH MR. CHERNOMYRDIN, THEY FALL SHORT OF OUR REQUIREMENTS.

STILL IMPORTANT, THOUGH, IS THE FACT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS RUSSIA TO BE MOVING FURTHER AWAY FROM BELGRADE'S POSITION ON THE WAR, AND MORE TOWARD A COMMON UNDERSTANDING OF NATO'S BOTTOM LINE -- SPECIFICALLY, A DEMAND FOR ALLIANCE TROOPS TO ENTER KOSOVO AS PEACE-KEEPERS.

I THINK THE UNITED STATES, NATO COUNTRIES AND RUSSIA ARE MOVING CLOSER TO A COMMON SET OF OBJECTIVES AND A COMMON UNDERSTANDING OF THE RATIONALE FOR THOSE OBJECTIVES, AND HOPEFULLY AT SOME POINT A COMMON PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTING THOSE OBJECTIVES.

WHILE NATO BROADENS THE SCOPE OF ITS AIR STRIKES AND DOUBLES THE NUMBER OF SORTIES, THE ALLIANCE STILL REMAINS UNABLE TO STEM THE FLOW OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS FLEEING KOSOVO. ON WEDNESDAY, THE FIRST OF SOME 20-THOUSAND KOSOVAR REFUGEES WHICH THE UNITED STATES HAS AGREED TO ACCEPT WILL ARRIVE ON AMERICAN SOIL, OUT OF DANGER, BUT WITH NO IDEA OF WHEN THE ALLIANCE THAT CHOSE TO PROTECT THEM WILL BE ABLE TO ENSURE THEIR SAFE RETURN HOME. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/PHW/WTW
04-May-99 4:54 PM EDT (2054 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] KOSOVO/DIPLOMACY UPDATE (S) BY NICK SIMEONE (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: RUSSIA'S EFFORTS TO BROKER AN END TO THE NATO - YUGOSLAV CONFLICT OVER KOSOVO HAVE FALLEN SHORT. BUT AS CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS ENCOURAGING MOSCOW TO CONTINUE ITS KOSOVO SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY EVEN THOUGH IT SEES NO SIGN BELGRADE IS READY TO GIVE IN TO NATO DEMANDS -- WHICH INCLUDE AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO, A RETURN OF REFUGEES AND AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE

TEXT: RUSSIAN ENVOY VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN HAD DECLARED HIMSELF CLOSER TO A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION ON KOSOVO. BUT AFTER A SECOND DAY OF TALKS WITH THE RUSSIAN ENVOY -- AND AFTER SEEING A LETTER FROM YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC BROUGHT BACK BY U-S CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER JESSE JACKSON -- THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAW NO SIGNS OF AN EARLY DIPLOMATIC BREAKTHROUGH. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN:

AS FAR AS THE VARIOUS IDEAS THAT HAVE BEEN PRESENTED EITHER THROUGH JESSE JACKSON OR THROUGH MR. CHERNOMYRDIN, THEY FALL SHORT OF OUR REQUIREMENTS.

PRESIDENT CLINTON IS HEADING TO BRUSSELS FOR AN UPDATE FROM NATO ON SIX WEEKS OF ALLIED BOMBING. ON WEDNESDAY, SEVERAL HUNDRED KOSOVAR REFUGEES -- THE FIRST OF THOUSANDS THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS AGREED TO ACCEPT -- WILL ARRIVE IN THE UNITED STATES. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS
04-May-99 5:29 PM EDT (2129 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-N / ANNAN / CHERNOMYRDIN (S & L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: RUSSIA'S EFFORTS TO BROKER A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS CONTINUED TODAY (TUESDAY) IN NEW YORK, WHERE RUSSIAN SPECIAL ENVOY VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN HELD TALKS WITH UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN. V-O-A'S U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS THE STORY.

TEXT: THE DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE TWO MEN LASTED ABOUT 40 MINUTES AND IS NOT KNOWN TO HAVE RESULTED IN ANY NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE KOSOVO CRISIS. U-N OFFICIALS SAY MR. ANNAN AND MR. CHERNOMYRDIN DISCUSSED APPROACHES TO A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO AND IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF AREAS ON WHICH FURTHER CONSULTATIONS WITH COUNTRIES CONCERNED WOULD BE NECESSARY. THEY AGREED TO CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS.

MR. ANNAN HAS BEEN TRYING TO DEVELOP A CONSENSUS APPROACH TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS THAT WOULD BE BACKED BY THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL. U-N OFFICIALS SAY SUCH AN APPROACH WOULD, AT THE MINIMUM, REQUIRE APPROVAL FROM NATO, RUSSIA, AND THE UNITED STATES AND BE CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE BY BELGRADE.

DIPLOMATS SAY A CONSENSUS APPROACH WOULD ALSO REQUIRE AGREEMENT ON SOME SORT OF AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE FOR DEPLOYMENT IN KOSOVO AND TERMS UNDER WHICH REFUGEES WOULD BE ALLOWED TO RETURN HOME. THEY SAY THE EXISTING DIFFERENCES ON THOSE ISSUES, BETWEEN NATO, RUSSIA AND YUGOSLAVIA, ARE SO LARGE, IT IS UNLIKELY SUCH A CONSENSUS WILL BE REACHED SOON. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/GE
04-May-99 2:53 PM EDT (1853 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] MACEDONIA / BOSNIAN REFUGEES BY LAURIE KASSMAN (RADUSA, MACEDONIA)

INTRO: KOSOVAR ALBANIANS CONTINUE EACH DAY TO ARRIVE IN MACEDONIA BY THE THOUSANDS. THEY ARE SQUEEZING INTO OVER-CROWDED REFUGEE CAMPS TO WAIT FOR THE CHANCE TO RETURN HOME. SOME ARE SURPRISED TO FIND THEMSELVES SHARING QUARTERS WITH BOSNIAN REFUGEES WHO HAVE BEEN IN MACEDONIA FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM THE NORTHWESTERN MACEDONIAN TOWN OF RADUSA.

TEXT:. THIS NEAT CLUSTER OF WEATHERED TWO-STORY WOODEN BARRACKS AND CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND DOES NOT LOOK LIKE A REFUGEE CAMP. THERE ARE NO CROWDED, DUSTY TENTS, NO WIRE FENCES OR GUARDS AT THE ENTRANCE.

THE SONGS PLAYED ON A HI-FI AND THE LILT OF THE LANGUAGE HERE IS NOT MACEDONIAN OR ALBANIAN. IT IS BOSNIAN.

THE SMALL ENCLAVE IS HOME FOR ABOUT 150 BOSNIAN REFUGEES WHO, LIKE THEIR KOSOVAR NEIGHBORS, SOUGHT SHELTER IN MACEDONIA. ABOUT 800 ARRIVED SEVEN YEARS AGO, SHORTLY AFTER THE OUTBREAK OF THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT. MOST HAVE MOVED ON TO OTHER COUNTRIES OR BACK TO BOSNIA, BUT NOT TO THEIR HOMES.

ALI HASANOVIC EXPLAINS HOW SERB SOLDIERS FORCED OUT HIS ENTIRE VILLAGE AND THEN BURNED IT TO THE GROUND.

THE VILLAGE WAS NEAR THE TOWN OF SRBENICA. THE TOWN IN EASTERN BOSNIA WAS PUT UNDER U-N PROTECTION BUT THE SERB MILITARY STORMED IT IN JULY OF 1995 AND SLAUGHTERED ABOUT EIGHT-THOUSAND MEN.

ALI AND HIS NEIGHBORS REFUSE TO GO BACK TO THE SERB-CONTROLLED AREA NOW. AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO MOVE BACK TO ANOTHER PART OF BOSNIA, ALI SAYS, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WANT TO FEEL LIKE REFUGEES IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY.

ALI HAS LITTLE NEWS OF HIS VILLAGE.

HE HEARS THAT SOME HOUSES NEAR THE SCHOOL HAVE BEEN REBUILT BUT MOST OF THE OTHERS REMAIN CHARRED RUINS.

THIRTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD ALMASA KADIC AND HER FAMILY OF FIVE WERE LIVING IN ABANDONED ARMY BARRACKS SOUTHEAST OF MACEDONIA'S CAPITAL CITY, SKOPJE. THREE MONTHS AGO THEY WERE MOVED INTO THE RADUSA CAMP WHEN NATO PEACEKEEPERS ARRIVED AND NEEDED THE SPACE.

ALMASA WORRIES THAT HER SEVEN-YEAR-OLD SON, WHO WAS BORN IN EXILE, IS LOSING HIS BOSNIAN IDENTITY. SHE COMPLAINS THEY HAVE BECOME THE FORGOTTEN PEOPLE OF BOSNIA. SHE WANTS TO GO HOME BUT COMPLAINS IT WILL BE HARDER TO GO BACK NOW BECAUSE NATO WILL HELP THE KOSOVARS FIRST.

WHEN KOSOVAR ALBANIANS LIKE 25-YEAR-OLD ANTON GOJANE ARRIVED, HE WAS SHOCKED TO FIND HIS NEIGHBORS WERE FROM BOSNIA.

WHEN I MET THE BOSNIAN REFUGEES, IT IS MORE THAN FOUR YEARS THAT BOSNIAN WAR HAS FINISHED. AND WHEN WE CAME HERE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE WE ARE BUT WHEN WE FIND THE BOSNIAN REFUGEES, WE ARE SURPRISED AND WHEN WE SPOKE WITH THEM, THEY TOLD TO US ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES AND IT'S THE SAME AS OUR EXPERIENCE.

ANTON WAS STUDYING HISTORY AT PRISTINA'S UNIVERSITY WHEN THE SERB POLICE KNOCKED ON HIS DOOR A MONTH AGO AND TOLD HIM TO LEAVE. A CATHOLIC ALBANIAN, HE HID FOR A WEEK IN PRISTINA'S MAIN CHURCH. BUT HE SAYS MASKED PARA-MILITARIES THREATENED THE PRIEST, SO HE AND HIS FRIENDS LEFT ON ONE OF THE DOZENS OF TRAINS HEADING TO THE BORDER.

HE HAS NO WORD FROM HIS FAMILY, WHO LIVE IN A MIXED SERB-ALBANIAN VILLAGE NEAR THE MONTENEGRIN BORDER. HE DOES NOT THINK THEIR SERB NEIGHBORS WILL HELP HIS PARENTS.

THE KOSOVAR REFUGEES AT THIS CAMP REALIZE THEY ARE THE LUCKY FEW WHO ARE NOT SQUEEZED INTO CROWDED TENTS BEHIND HIGH FENCES WITH GUARDS AT THE GATE. THE QUARTERS HERE ARE SPACIOUS BY COMPARISON, WITH A KITCHEN AND PROPER BEDS. THEY CAN WALK AROUND FREELY IN THE VILLAGE. BUT ANTON LOOKS AT THE BOSNIANS WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR SEVEN YEARS AND ADMITS HE IS WORRIED WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO HIM. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH/PLM
04-May-99 5:22 AM EDT (0922 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] MACEDONIA / REFUGEE HEALTH (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (BRAZDA, MACEDONIA)

INTRO: INTERNATIONAL HEALTH WORKERS SAY THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES IN MACEDONIA ARE GENERALLY IN GOOD HEALTH. BUT THEY ARE STILL PREPARING FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF EPIDEMICS WITH THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER MONTHS FAST APPROACHING. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM THE CAMPS IN BRAZDA, MACEDONIA.

TEXT: SO FAR, CAMP DOCTORS SAY THEY ARE LUCKY. THERE ARE ONLY A FEW CASES OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE AMONG MORE THAN 80-THOUSAND KOSOVAR REFUGEES CRAMMED INTO NINE CAMPS HERE.

CANADIAN DOCTOR JONATHAN BROCK OF THE PARIS-BASED HUMANITARIAN GROUP "DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDER" SAYS THEY ARE GENERALLY IN GOOD HEALTH.

THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION IN THIS CAMP (STENKOVAC) ARE FROM URBAN AREAS IN KOSOVO, PRIMARILY PRISTINA. AND THEY'RE USED TO A HIGH STANDARD OF LIVING AND A GOOD GENERAL LEVEL OF MEDICAL CARE. THEY'RE USED TO BEING PROVIDED WITH 24-HOUR MEDICAL CARE IN KOSOVO. AND THE STANDARD OF HEALTH WE HAVE SEEN IN THE CAMPS HAS BEEN GENERALLY GOOD.

BUT MR BROCK SAYS MEDICAL WORKERS AT THE CAMP ARE TAKING NO CHANCES. DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS ALREADY IS SETTING UP SPECIAL FACILITIES TO ISOLATE ANY CONTAGIOUS PATIENTS

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SETTING UP AN EPIDEMIC CENTER AT THE FAR END OF THE CAMP WITH A CAPACITY FOR ISOLATION OF 40 PEOPLE.

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION HAS ARRANGED WITH HOSPITALS IN SKOPJE TO HELP IF THE CAMP'S CASE-LOAD BECOMES A BURDEN.

AID WORKERS ARE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE OUTBREAK OF DYSENTERY, MEASLES, CHOLERA, MENINGITIS AND HEPATITIS. MR BROCK SAYS OVER-CROWDING, DETERIORATING SANITARY CONDITIONS, AND EXTREMELY HOT WEATHER COULD ALL CONTRIBUTE TO CONDITIONS THAT ARE RIPE FOR THE SPREAD OF DISEASE.

AID WORKERS ARE ESPECIALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE NEW CAMP AT CEGRANE IN WESTERN MACEDONIA WHICH WAS BUILT FOR 10-THOUSAND REFUGEES AND ALREADY IS HOUSING TWICE THAT NUMBER. FOR NOW, THOUGH, HEALTH WORKERS SAY THE MOST COMMON AILMENTS IN THE REFUGEE CAMPS ARE FATIGUE AND RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
04-May-99 10:21 AM EDT (1421 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] U-N-H-C-R / KOSOVO REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, SAYS MORE THAN 11-THOUSAND KOSOVO REFUGEES ARRIVED IN MACEDONIA ON MONDAY -- THE BIGGEST SINGLE-DAY INFLUX IN WEEKS. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THAT IN CONTRAST, THE AGENCY SAYS ONLY 700 PEOPLE ARRIVED IN ALBANIA ON MONDAY, ONE OF THE SMALLEST DAILY NUMBERS IN A LONG TIME.

TEXT: U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS THE SHARP CONTRAST IN THE NUMBERS OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES ARRIVING IN MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT THE MAIN THRUST OF WHAT HE CALLS THE SERBIAN CLEANSING EFFORT IS DIRECTED TOWARD MACEDONIA.

IT SEEMS THAT THEY ARE PUSHING MOST PEOPLE TOWARD MACEDONIA. THEY KNOW LIKE WE KNOW, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, THAT MACEDONIA HAS BEEN VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE INFLUX, PERCEIVING IT AS VERY DESTABILIZING FOR THE COUNTRY.

THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY ESTIMATES MORE THAN 200-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS FROM KOSOVO HAVE GONE TO MACEDONIA, AND MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THE SITUATION IS CRITICAL. HE SAYS MACEDONIA IS SWAMPED WITH REFUGEES. AND ALL CAMPS, EVEN ONE WHICH HAS JUST BEEN BUILT, ARE HOPELESSLY OVERCROWDED.

THE REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS THAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO EASE THE STRAINS, IT PLANS TO TAKE SEVERAL THOUSAND REFUGEES BY BUS FROM MACEDONIA TO ALBANIA DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS. MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THE AGENCY HOPES TO BEGIN THE TRANSFERS ON WEDNESDAY. HE SAYS NATO IS HELPING TO CONSTRUCT NEW TENTED CAMPS IN KORCA, ALBANIA. AND HE SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS HAS PRE-POSITIONED FOOD STOCKS AND MADE SPACE FOR SIX-THOUSAND PEOPLE.

ALBANIA TOOK NOW NEARLY 400-THOUSAND REFUGEES SO IT'S BEEN SWAMPED AS WELL. SO THAT'S WHY THE IDEA OF SENDING PEOPLE TO ALBANIA WHICH HAS A WORSE INFRASTRUCTURE THAN MACEDONIA HAS ALWAYS BEEN QUESTIONABLE. BUT, NOW IT SEEMS TO BE THE LAST RESORT.

THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY INSISTS THAT ALL DEPARTURES FROM MACEDONIA TO ALBANIA WILL BE VOLUNTARY. IN ADDITION, THE AGENCY SAYS THAT REFUGEES TRANSFERRED TO ALBANIA WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR HUMANITARIAN EVACUATIONS TO THIRD COUNTRIES.

IT SAYS THE AIRLIFT OF REFUGEES TO CANADA WILL BEGIN ON TUESDAY. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY OTHER FLIGHTS TO THE UNITED STATES AND AUSTRALIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH
04-May-99 8:38 AM EDT (1238 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] CLINTON / KOSOVO ONITER (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON LEAVES FOR EUROPE LATER TODAY (TUESDAY) TO REVIEW THE PROGRESS OF NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA WITH ALLIANCE OFFICIALS, AND TO MEET WITH U-S TROOPS TAKING PART IN THE MISSION. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS MR. CLINTON IS STANDING FIRM ON CONTINUING AIRSTRIKES UNTIL YUGOSLAVIA MEETS NATO'S DEMANDS.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON TOLD REPORTERS MONDAY NATO WOULD NOT HALT AIRSTRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA UNTIL PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WITHDRAWS TROOPS FROM KOSOVO AND ALLOWS ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO RETURN HOME WHILE A NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE GUARANTEES THEIR SECURITY.

IT WAS A MESSAGE HE DELIVERED LATER IN THE DAY TO RUSSIAN ENVOY VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN - WHO IS SEEKING A DIPLOMATIC END TO THE YUGOSLAV WAR. MR. CLINTON'S HARDLINE STANCE ALSO COMES DESPITE THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO FREE THREE U-S SERVICEMEN.

CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER JESSE JACKSON, WHO HELPED WIN THE SERVICEMEN'S RELEASE, URGED MR. CLINTON AT A WHITE HOUSE MEETING TO TELEPHONE MR. MILOSEVIC TO THANK HIM. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE PRESIDENT HAS NO PLANS TO DO SO.

MR. CLINTON LEAVES FOR BRUSSELS TUESDAY NIGHT TO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS OF THE AIR CAMPAIGN WITH NATO OFFICIALS BEFORE FLYING TO GERMANY FOR TALKS WITH CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHRODER AND MEETINGS WITH U-S TROOPS AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/PT
03-May-99 10:03 PM EDT (0203 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] CLINTON-KOSOVO OVERNIGHTER(L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS ON HIS WAY TO EUROPE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE START OF THE NATO MILITARY CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. IT WILL BE A BRIEF TRIP, BUT PACKED WITH SYMBOLISM V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS MR. CLINTON WILL MEET WITH NATO OFFICIALS, AMERICAN TROOPS, AND KOSOVO REFUGEES WHO FOUND SHELTER ON GERMAN SOIL.

TEXT: THE PRESIDENT WILL USE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO RE-ENFORCE ONE MESSAGE: THE OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA WILL CONTINUE UNTIL NATO'S OBJECTIVES ARE MET.

IT IS A MESSAGE HE WILL TAKE TO THE ALLIANCE HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS, TO AMERICAN MILITARY BASES IN GERMANY, AND TO A GERMAN REFUGEE CENTER THAT HAS BECOME A TEMPORARY HOME FOR MANY KOSOVAR ALBANIANS.

WE WILL ASSURE THEM OF OUR DETERMINATION AND RESOLVE TO SEE THEM RETURN WITH SECURITY AND SELF-GOVERNMENT.

MR. CLINTON LEFT WASHINGTON AT A TIME OF INCREASED DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITY. RUSSIA'S EMISSARY FOR THE BALKANS MET WITH THE PRESIDENT ON MONDAY, AND THEN CONTINUED HIS DISCUSSIONS WITH TOP ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS. THE TALKS WITH FORMER PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN PRODUCED NO BREAKTHROUGHS. AND IN HIS FINAL COMMENTS BEFORE HEADING TO BRUSSELS, MR. CLINTON APPEARED TO CHOSE HIS WORDS CAREFULLY.

I REAFFIRMED OUR SUPPORT FOR HIS EFFORTS AND OUR WILLINGNESS TO SEIZE EVERY DIPLOMATIC POSSIBILITY FOR SERBIAN AUTHORITIES TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS THAT NATO HAS ARTICULATED.

MR. CHERNOMYRDIN IS SEEKING COMPROMISE, BUT PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID NATO WILL STAND BY ITS KEY DEMANDS. ONCE AGAIN,HE URGED YUGOSLAV LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO WITHDRAW HIS FORCES FROM KOSOVO AND LET THE REFUGEES RETURN UNDER THE PROTECTION OF AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE.

THIS IS NOT A DEFEAT FOR SERBIA WE ARE SEEKING. WHAT WE ARE SEEKING IS THE SIMPLE RIGHT OF THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS TO LIVE INPEACE ON THEIR OWN LAND.

HIS LAST COMMENTS BEFORE LEAVING WASHINGTON WERE ABOUT THE REFUGEES, AND THE UNENDING REPORTS OF ATROCITIES COMING OUT OF KOSOVO. THE PRESIDENT MADE A VOW, SAYING AMERICA AND THE WORLD WILL BRING THIS HORROR TO AN END. IN HIS WORDS: WE WILL NOT USHER IN THE 21ST CENTURY WITH THE WORST NIGHTMARES OF THE 20TH. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
04-May-99 7:17 PM EDT (2317 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[14] CLINTON/KOSOVO ONITER (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON - UNDER PRESSURE TO FIND A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE WAR IN YUGOSLAVIA - HAS OUTLINED THE CONDITIONS HE SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC MUST MEET TO SUSPEND NATO AIRSTRIKES AGAINST HIS COUNTRY. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: AT A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE WITH JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER KEIZO OBUCHI, MR. CLINTON SAID NATO WOULD NOT HALT ITS AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA UNLESS CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET

WHAT I AM ASKING FOR ARE THE MINIMAL CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR THE KOSOVARS TO BE ABLE TO GO HOME AND LIVE IN SECURITY WITH SELF-GOVERNMENT. THAT IS, THEY WILL NOT GO HOME UNLESS THE SERB SECURITY FORCES ARE WITHDRAWN, AND THEY WILL NOT GO HOME UNLESS THERE IS A CREDIBLE INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FORCE,IN WHICH NATO PLAYS A ROLE.

MR. CLINTON ADDED HE THOUGHT IT IMPORTANT THAT THE RUSSIANS ALSO HAVE A ROLE IN SUCH A PEACEKEEPING MISSION. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE PRESIDENT REITERATED HIS COMMENTS TO RUSSIAN ENVOY VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN DURING A MEETING AT THE WHITE HOUSE LATE MONDAY.

THE FORMER RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER, WHO IS SEEKING A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS, EMERGED FROM HIS 90 MINUTE MEETING WITH MR. CLINTON WITHOUT A BREAKTHROUGH, BUT VOWING TO CONTINUE HIS CONTACTS WITH U-S OFFICIALS. HE SPOKE THROUGH A TRANSLATOR.

WE'LL KEEP WORKING. WE REMAIN HOPEFUL.

REVEREND JACKSON CALLED ON MR. CLINTON TO MAKE A PHONE CALL TO MR. MILOSEVIC TO THANK HIM FOR RELEASING THE SERVICEMEN. HE SPOKE TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS MEETING.

A GESTURE OF DIPLOMACY DESERVES SOME RECIPROCITY. WE MUST SHOW WE ARE WILLING TO FIGHT AND NEGOTIATE, WILLING TO DO EITHER. WE HAVE THE STRENGTH TO DO BOTH. I HOPE WE WILL DO IT.

BUT A SENIOR U-S OFFICIAL BRIEFING REPORTERS AFTER THE MEETING SAID MR. CLINTON HAD NO PLANS TO CALL THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT. REVEREND JACKSON ALSO DELIVERED A LETTER TO MR.CLINTON FROM MR. MILOSEVIC OUTLINING PROPOSALS ON KOSOVO. THE SENIOR OFFICIAL BRIEFING REPORTERS DISMISSED THE LETTER, SAYING IT CONTAINED NOTHING NEW.

THE OFFICIAL SAYS THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT IS REALIZING HIS OPTIONS ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED. MR. MILOSEVIC, THE OFFICIAL SAID, CAN CONTINUE TO ENDURE NATO AIRSTRIKES, OR FIND A WAY TO CUT HIS LOSSES. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/PHW/PT
03-May-99 9:32 PM EDT (0132 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[15] CONGRESS-KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: THE U-S SENATE HAS DECIDED NOT TO DECIDE WHETHER PRESIDENT CLINTON SHOULD SEND AMERICAN GROUND TROOPS INTO KOSOVO. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS THE ISSUE IS BEING SHELVED, AT LEAST FOR NOW.

TEXT: BY A WIDE MARGIN (78 TO 22), AND WITH THE LEADERS OF BOTH PARTIES JOINING IN, THE SENATE PUT ASIDE A MEASURE AUTHORIZING MR. CLINTON TO USE ALL NECESSARY FORCE.

ITS MAIN SPONSOR, REPUBLICAN JOHN MCCAIN, CALLS IT INDEFENSIBLE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE TO PUBLICLY RULE OUT GROUND TROOPS. MR. MCCAIN SAYS HE HOPED THE RESOLUTION WOULD STRENGTHEN THE PRESIDENT'S RESOLVE. INSTEAD, HE ANGRILY ACCUSED THE ADMINISTRATION OF SABOTAGING HIS PROPOSAL --/ AND LACKING THE STRENGTH TO WIN IN THE BALKANS.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IS PREPARED TO LOSE A WAR RATHER THAN DO THE HARD WORK, THE POLITICALLY RISKY WORK, OF FIGHTING IT AS THE LEADER OF THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH SHOULD FIGHT WHEN OUR INTERESTS AND OUR VALUES ARE IMPERILED.

BUT OPPONENTS SAY THE LANGUAGE OF THE MEASURE IS DANGEROUSLY BROAD. THEY ALSO CRITICIZE ITS TIMING, SINCE THE PRESIDENT HAS SHOWN NO INTENTION OF STARTING A GROUND EFFORT, NOR SOUGHT THE AUTHORITY TO DO SO. DEMOCRATIC LEADER TOM DASCHLE, ECHOING THE WHITE HOUSE, SAYS THE AIR WAR IS WORKING AND CONGRESS SHOULD NOT ACT TOO SOON.

THIS IS NOT THE TIME. WILL THERE COME A TIME? PERHAPS. BUT IT IS NOT NOW.

THE PARTY LEADERS WERE ALSO ANXIOUS TO AVOID ANOTHER MIXED MESSAGE AFTER THE HOUSE (OF REPRESENTATIVES) LAST WEEK REFUSED TO EITHER ENDORSE THE AIR CAMPAIGN OR DEMAND IT BE STOPPED. THE SENATE ACTION WILL NOT AFFECT THE BOMBING. BUT AN INTENSE DEBATE IS LIKELY SHOULD THE PRESIDENT LATER DECIDE TO EXPAND THE WAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/LTD/RAE
04-May-99 12:01 PM EDT (1601 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[16] KOSOVO / U-S OPINION BY JIM MALONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE U-S SENATE TUESDAY SET ASIDE A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD HAVE AUTHORIZED PRESIDENT CLINTON TO USE ALL NECESSARY FORCE TO WIN THE CONFLICT WITH YUGOSLAVIA. THE SENATE VOTE COMES IN THE WAKE OF A SERIES OF HOUSE VOTES LAST WEEK WHICH SEEMED TO SIGNAL THAT LAWMAKERS AND PERHAPS THE PUBLIC ARE MORE DIVIDED THAN EVER OVER U-S MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN THE BALKANS. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE HAS BEEN TALKING WITH POLLSTERS AND POLITICAL EXPERTS AND HAS A REPORT.

TEXT: THE SENATE VOTE WAS 78 TO 22 IN FAVOR OF SETTING ASIDE A MOTION AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT TO USE ALL NECESSARY MEANS, INCLUDING GROUND TROOPS, TO WIN THE CONFLICT OVER KOSOVO. LAST WEEK, A SHARPLY DIVIDED HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FAILED TO ENDORSE THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN ON A TIE VOTE OF 213 TO 213. THE HOUSE DID APPROVE A MEASURE CALLING ON THE PRESIDENT TO GET CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL IN ADVANCE IF HE WANTS TO USE GROUND TROOPS IN KOSOVO. BUT HOUSE LAWMAKERS ALSO REJECTED TWO OTHER PROPOSALS -- ONE WHICH WOULD HAVE DECLARED WAR AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA AND ANOTHER WHICH WOULD HAVE FORCED THE WITHDRAWAL OF U-S FORCES FROM THE REGION.

PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN ALLAN LICHTMAN OF THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY HERE IN WASHINGTON SAYS THE VOTES OVER KOSOVO REFLECT DIVISIONS AMONG LAWMAKERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OVER WHAT TO DO NEXT IN THE BALKANS. HE ALSO SAYS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE TRYING TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM BLAME IF THE NATO CAMPAIGN FAILS.

WE (CONGRESS) ARE GOING TO KEEP OUR DISTANCE SO IF THIS GOES SOUR (BAD), IT IS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PROBLEM. IF THIS TURNS OUT TO BE A BIG TRIUMPH, WE CAN ALL SHARE IN IT. AND THEY (CONGRESS) ARE SKEPTICAL IT IS GOING THAT WAY ANYWAY. SO, CONGRESS IS CERTAINLY PROTECTING THEIR OWN POLITICAL BACKSIDES IN THIS.

TOM DEFRANK IS WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS (AND A REGULAR GUEST ON V-O-A'S ISSUES IN THE NEWS PROGRAM). HE SAYS THE PRESIDENT'S FAILURE TO WIN ENDORSEMENT OF HIS CURRENT POLICY IN KOSOVO IS AT LEAST IN PART DUE TO LEFT-OVER BAD FEELINGS FROM THE IMPEACHMENT BATTLE WITH CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS.

THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF REPUBLICANS BITTER ABOUT IMPEACHMENT WHO WOULD LIKE SOMEHOW TO PUNISH THE PRESIDENT, I GUESS, EVEN IF IT MEANS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE NATIONAL INTEREST.

BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF DEMOCRATS NERVOUS ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S POLICY ON KOSOVO AS WELL. UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA POLITICAL SCIENTIST LARRY SABATO SAYS MR. CLINTON STILL HAS TO CONVINCE A FAIR NUMBER OF HIS OWN PARTY AS WELL AS OPPOSITION REPUBLICANS THAT HIS STRATEGY ON KOSOVO IS WORKING.

THERE REALLY ARE DEEP FISSURES (SPLITS) ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE TOO. THERE ARE MANY DEMOCRATS, PARTICULARLY ON THE LIBERAL END OF THE SPECTRUM, WHO HAVE SERIOUS DOUBTS ABOUT WHAT IS BEING DONE AND THE STRATEGIES BEING EMPLOYED. SO IF THIS DOES NOT END RELATIVELY QUICKLY, AND IT HAS ALREADY GONE ON LONG ENOUGH SO THAT PEOPLE FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE, THEN I THINK THAT THE PRESIDENT WILL BE IN DEEPER TROUBLE THAN HE IS NOW. AND HE IS ALREADY IN TROUBLE.

AS IS USUALLY THE CASE, THE DIVISIONS WITHIN CONGRESS MIRROR THE SPLITS AMONG THE PUBLIC OVER HOW FAR THE UNITED STATES SHOULD GO TO STOP THE ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO. ANDREW KOHUT IS A POLLSTER WITH THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE PRESS HERE IN WASHINGTON. HE SAYS HIS POLLING INDICATES A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SUPPORT THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. BUT HE SAYS ANY ATTEMPT TO EXPAND THE CONFLICT TO INCLUDE U-S GROUND FORCES COULD PROVE TROUBLESOME FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON.

THE PUBLIC DOES NOT KNOW WHERE WE GO FROM HERE. WHILE THE PUBLIC FEELS WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING, MOST DO NOT FEEL THE AIR ATTACKS ALONE WILL DO THE JOB. YET, PEOPLE CONTINUE TO BE OF TWO MINDS ABOUT USING GROUND TROOPS BECAUSE THEY RECOGNIZE THE GREATER RISKS AND THE DIFFICULTIES OF GETTING OUT QUICKLY.

THAT IS A VIEW SHARED BY UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA POLITICAL SCIENTIST LARRY SABATO.

AT BEST, 55 TO 60-PERCENT SUPPORT THE AIR STRIKES. SUPPORT FOR GROUND TROOPS IS, IF NOT MINIMAL, THEN SOMEWHERE AROUND THE 40-PERCENT RANGE. SO THE PRESIDENT IS GOING TO HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICULTY WHIPPING THE PUBLIC UP INTO ENOUGH FERVOR TO SUPPORT SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION OF THIS WAR.

A RECENT USA TODAY/CNN/GALLUP POLL ALSO FOUND THE PUBLIC DIVIDED ABOUT WHOM THEY TRUST IN CONNECTION WITH THE U-S MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN THE BALKANS. 43-PERCENT SAID THEY HAD MORE CONFIDENCE IN THE PRESIDENT, WHILE 42-PERCENT SAID THEY HAD MORE FAITH IN CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JBM/KL
04-May-99 2:17 PM EDT (1817 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[17] KOSOVAR LEADER IN U-S (L ONLY) CQ BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A KOSOVAR-ALBANIAN LEADER IS IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK FOR TALKS WITH U-S OFFICIALS ABOUT HIS PEOPLE'S FUTURE. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS BLERIM SHALA SAYS IT IS TOO LATE TO NEGOTIATE KOSOVO'S AUTONOMY WITHIN SERBIA.

TEXT: A MEMBER OF THE KOSOVO NEGOTIATING TEAM AT PEACE TALKS IN RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE EARLIER THIS YEAR, BLERIM SHALA, REJECTS A MOSCOW-BELGRADE PLAN FOR ENDING THE CONFLICT. THE PLAN WAS PRESENTED MONDAY TO PRESIDENT CLINTON BY RUSSIAN SPECIAL-ENVOY VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN. MR. SHALA, THE EDITOR OF THE KOSOVAR-ALBANIAN NEWSPAPER "ZERI", SAYS HE IS SUSPICIOUS OF ANY OVERTURE FROM MR. MILOSEVIC.

WE WERE PART OF THE (PEACE) NEGOTIATIONS, SO IT IS VERY STRANGE THAT AFTER ONE YEAR OF FAILURE, AND AFTER ONE YEAR THAT MR. MILOSEVIC REFUSED EVERY POSSIBLE COMPROMISE, TO SAY WE MUST ONCE AGAIN NEGOTIATE.

NATO INSISTS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AGREE TO ALLOW KOSOVO REFUGEES TO RETURN UNDER THE PROTECTION OF AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE THAT INCLUDES NATO TROOPS. THAT PLAN, WHICH WAS PROPOSED AT THE RAMBOUILLET TALKS, ALSO CALLS FOR GREATER AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO AND POSTPONES A DECISION ON THE PROVINCE' FUTURE STATUS FOR THREE YEARS.

MR. MILOSEVIC AND SERB LEADERS REJECT THAT PLAN, CALLING IT AN ULTIMATUM.

MR. SHALA WAS ASKED IF KOSOVAR LEADERS INSIST ON INDEPENDENCE OR WHETHER THERE IS A CHANCE A SETTLEMENT COULD BE REACHED ON AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO WITHIN SERBIA:

WE MUST SHOW READINESS TO SUPPORT THE NATO AIRSTRIKES AND WE MUST SHOW THAT WE ARE SERIOUS IN OUR EFFORT TO BE LIBERATED.

MR. SHALA SAID HE WILL MAKE HIS VIEWS KNOWN THIS WEEK DURING MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON WITH STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, INCLUDING SENATOR JOSEPH LIEBERMAN WHO HAS PROPOSED ARMING THE K-L-A.

MR. SHALA ALSO SAID THE MAKEUP OF THE KOSOVO INTERIM GOVERNMENT IN EXILE REMAINS THE SAME AS AGREED TO AT THE RAMBOUILLET TALKS. HE SAID KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY COMMANDER HASHIM THAQI IS FOREIGN MINISTER AND MODERATE LEADER IBRAHIM RUGOVA ACTING PRESIDENT.

ACCORDING TO THIS AGREEMENT (MR.) RUGOVA'S PARTY WILL NOMINATE ITS OWN REPRESENTATIVES IN THIS GOVERNMENT. UNFORTUNATELY THIS HAS NOT BEEN DONE. FIRST OF ALL, BECAUSE (MR.) RUGOVA IS UNDER HOUSE ARREST AND SECONDLY BECAUSE 20 OF THEM (KOSOVAR LEADERS) ARE STILL IN KOSOVO AND WE ARE IN TOTAL CONFUSION.

MR. SHALA IS LIVING IN EXILE IN MACEDONIA. HE SAYS HE WAS IN HIDING IN THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA, UNTIL APRIL SECOND WHEN HE DISGUISED HIMSELF TO MAKE A RUN FOR THE MACEDONIAN BORDER RATHER THAN RISK EXECUTION BY SERB FORCES. (SIGNED)
NEB/PAM/RAE
04-May-99 2:42 PM EDT (1842 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[18] HUNGARY/COUNCIL OF EUROPE (L-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

INTRO: LEADERS OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE ARE MARKING THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY THIS WEEK. HUNGARY, THE GROUP'S CURRENT CHAIR, SAYS THE KOSOVO CRISIS AND OTHER CONCERNS WILL LEAVE THE COUNCIL'S 41 MEMBERS WITH LITTLE TIME TO CELEBRATE. STEFAN BOS REPORTS FROM BUDAPEST.

TEXT: THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE'S FOUNDING TREATY, SIGNED IN LONDON IN 1949, DEDICATED THE GROUP TO PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW ON THE EUROPEAN CONTINENT.

FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE COUNCIL'S MEMBER STATES ARE BEGINNING THEIR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON THIS WEEK, THEN TRAVELING TO BUDAPEST FOR A TWO-DAY SUMMIT. HUNGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER JANOS MARTONYI SAYS THE KOSOVO CRISIS WILL BE HIGH ON THE AGENDA.

MR. MARTONYI SAYS ALL 41 OF THE COUNCIL'S MEMBER STATES -- INCLUDING RUSSIA, A STRONG ALLY OF YUGOSLAVIA -- ARE EXPECTED TO SUPPORT A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING ATROCITIES IN KOSOVO.

THE MESSAGE WILL BE CLEAR IN THIS REGARD. JUST A RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY. AND THIS I FIND REMARKABLE, BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW WE HAVE 40 [OTHER] MEMBERS HERE AND IT IS NOT A LIMITED GROUP. IT INCLUDES PRACTICALLLY ALL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.

MR. MARTONYI SAYS THE KOSOVO CRISIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE IS STILL NECESSARY.

THE HUNGARIAN MINISTER SAYS THE RIGHTS OF EUROPE'S ETHNIC MINORITIES, CULTURES AND RELIGIONS MUST BE PROTECTED TO PREVENT SUCH CONFLICTS IN THE FUTURE.

HUNGARY IS PROPOSING CLOSER MONITORING OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEMS IN ALL OF THE COUNCIL'S MEMBER STATES, AS WELL AS THE CREATION OF EUROPE'S FIRST OMBUDSMAN FOR NATIONAL MINORITIES.

THE PROTECTION OF MINORITIES WILL BE MENTIONED IN THE SUMMIT'S FINAL "BUDAPEST DECLARATION" (ON FRIDAY) -- OUTLINING THE COUNCIL'S PAST AND FUTURE ROLE IN EUROPE.

HUNGARY IS CONCERNED ABOUT MINORITY ISSUES BECAUSE MORE THAN FIVE-MILLION ETHNIC HUNGARIANS LIVE OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY'S BORDERS.

MR. MARTONYI SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SITUATION OF 400-THOUSAND ETHNIC HUNGARIANS WHO LIVE IN NEIGHBORING SERBIA'S VOJVODINA PROVINCE.

WE HAVE DAILY INFORMATION FROM VOJVODINA. WE KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMETIMES HARASSMENT, THERE IS INTIMIDATION, THERE ARE THREATS AND MESSAGES TO THE HUNGARIAN COMMUNITY. UNTIL NOW, NOTHING MORE SERIOUS HAS HAPPENED. BUT I HOPE VERY MUCH THAT THIS WILL REMAIN THE CASE.

WORRY ABOUT POSSIBLE REPRISALS AGAINST ETHNIC HUNGARIANS IN SERBIA IS THE MAIN REASON WHY FOREIGN MINISTER MARTONYI SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT WOULD NEVER SUPPORT A NATO-LED GROUND OFFENSIVE AGAINST SERBIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/WTW
04-May-99 7:49 PM EDT (2349 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[19] SINN FEIN / MCGUINNESS (L-O) BY CANDACE WILLIAMS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A LEADING CATHOLIC POLITICIAN FROM NORTHERN IRELAND WARNS THE PROVINCE'S STALLED PEACE PROCESS IS IN DANGER OF FAILING UNLESS STEPS ARE TAKEN TO SALVAGE THE EFFORT. MARTIN MCGUINNESS, THE CHIEF NEGOTIATOR FOR THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY'S POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN, MADE THE COMMENT TUESDAY IN WASHINGTON. V-O-A'S CANDACE WILLIAMS REPORTS.

TEXT: SINN FEIN NEGOTIATOR MARTIN MCGUINNESS WAS FLANKED BY SEVERAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AS HE WARNED THAT THE GOOD FRIDAY PEACE ACCORD ENDING CIVIL STRIFE IN NORTHERN IRELAND IS NOT BEING FULLY IMPLEMENTED. THE AGREEMENT WAS CONCLUDED ON APRIL 10TH OF LAST YEAR, TO END THREE DECADES OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE BETWEEN PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS IN THE BRITISH-RULED PROVINCE.

BUT A DISPUTE OVER GUERRILLA DISARMAMENT THREATENS TO DERAIL THE PEACE PROCESS. PRO-BRITISH UNIONIST POLITICIANS -- LED BY DAVID TRIMBLE -- REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE IN A POWER-SHARING COUNCIL WITH THE CATHOLIC SINN FEIN UNLESS THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY SURRENDERS WEAPONS FROM ITS WAR AGAINST BRITISH RULE. BUT THE I-R-A REFUSES TO DISARM AND MR. MCGUINNESS SAYS A WEAPONS HANDOVER WAS NOT A PRECONDITION OF LAST YEAR'S GOOD FRIDAY ACCORD.

LET'S BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT SAYS IN RELATION TO DECOMMISSIONING. IT SAYS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO TRY AND BRING THIS ABOUT, LIES NOT WITH SINN FEIN, BUT LIES WITH ALL THE PARTICIPANTS, AND WE ARE ONLY ONE OF THOSE PARTICIPANTS.

NATIONALIST SINN FEIN POLITICIANS SAY THE APRIL 1998 AGREEMENT MERELY CALLS FOR DISARMAMENT BY THE YEAR 2000.

NR. MCGUINNESS SAYS HE IS WORRIED THE AGREEMENT WILL FAIL IF ITS TERMS ARE NOT FOLLOWED -- AND PLANS TO RELAY THIS WARNING TO TOP U-S OFFICIALS.

I WILL BE TELLING THE WHITE HOUSE THAT I BELIEVE THAT THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT IS ON A LIFE SUPPORT MACHINE, THAT DRASTIC ACTION IS REQUIRED TO REMEDY THE SITUATION, THAT THERE IS A RESPONSIBILITY ON EVERYBODY, BUT PARTICULARLY ON THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE TERMS OF THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT AS NEGOTIATED LAST YEAR. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PARTICULAR RESPONSIBILITY ON THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR. I BELIEVE HE HAS A KEY ROLE TO PLAY.

MR. MCGUINNESS WILL BE IN LONDON THURSDAY, WHERE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR, THE PRIME MINISTER OF IRELAND BERTIE AHERN AND RIVAL NORTHERN IRELAND POLITICIANS WILL MEET TO DISCUSS THE CURRENT IMPASSE. ALL THE PARTICIPANTS HAVE SAID THEY WILL STAY AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE UNTIL THE DEADLOCK IS BROKEN. (SIGNED)
NEB/CAW/PHW/WFR
04-May-99 7:24 PM EDT (2324 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[20] FRANCE / CORSICA (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT'S CHIEF REPRESENTATIVE ON THE MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND OF CORSICA HAS BEEN PUT UNDER ARREST FOLLOWING INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE ARSON OF A BEACH RESTAURANT LAST MONTH. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: WHEN THE PREFECT OF CORSICA, BERNARD BONNET, WAS DRIVEN AWAY UNDER ARREST, A SMALL CROWD OF CORSICAN NATIONALISTS SANG A SATIRICAL SONG ABOUT THE FRENCH POLICE.

MR. BONNET WAS PUT INTO CUSTODY LATE MONDAY DURING INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE ARSON OF A BEACH RESTAURANT NEAR CORSICAN CITY OF AJACCIO LAST MONTH.

BEFORE THE ARREST OF THE PREFECT, FOUR OFFICERS OF THE PARAMILITARY GENDARMERIE POLICE WERE CHARGED WITH THEIR ALLEGED ROLE IN SETTING THE RESTAURANT ON FIRE. NOW, THE INVESTIGATION HAS GONE RIGHT UP TO THE PREFECT, LEADING TO HIS ARREST. WHEN HE WAS PUT INTO CUSTODY ON A MILITARY BASE ON THE ISLAND, OTHER POLICE TOOK AWAY COMPUTERS AND OTHER MATERIAL FROM HIS OFFICE FOR EXAMINATION.

IN THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, THE OFFICE OF PREFECT IS HIGHLY PRIVILEGED. IT IS ONE THAT IMPLIES THE STRICTEST TRUST BETWEEN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND A FIGURE WHO HAS THE STATUS OF GOVERNOR IN THE PROVINCES.

MR. BONNET IS THE FIRST FRENCH PREFECT TO BE PLACED UNDER ARREST SINCE THE GERMAN NAZI OCCUPATION OF FRANCE DURING WORLD WAR TWO. THEN, JEAN MOULIN, FRANCE'S MOST FAMOUS PREFECT, WAS TORTURED TO DEATH BY THE GESTAPO.

MR. BONNET WAS SENT TO CORSICA IN VERY SERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES -- AFTER HIS PREDECESSOR WAS SHOT DEAD IN FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR. WHEN THE INTERIOR MINISTRY TRIED TO FIND A REPLACEMENT, A TOTAL OF 32 OF MR. BONNET'S COLLEAGUES TURNED THE JOB DOWN BEFORE MR. BONNET AGREED TO TAKE IT.

IMMEDIATELY ON HIS ARRIVAL ON CORSICA, MR. BONNET SET ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A LAW-AND-ORDER PROGRAM. UNDER THIS, HE ATTACKED WIDESPREAD TAX FRAUD. HE ALSO USED THE ARMY TO DESTROY ILLEGAL BUILDINGS ON THE ISLAND. THESE INCLUDED SOME BEACH RESTAURANTS.

ONE WAS THE "CHEZ FRANCIS" NEAR AJACCIO -- A FAVORITE OF FRENCH MAINLAND POLITICIANS.

WHEN A SENIOR PARIS POLICE OFFICER INTERVENED TO SAVE THAT RESTAURANT FOR JUST ONE MORE SUMMER SEASON, THE RESTAURANT SUDDENLY WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE EVIDENCE FOUND SO FAR HAS POINTED TO OFFICERS UNDER MR. BONNET'S COMMAND, LEADING AUTHORITIES TO ORDER HIS ARREST. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/PCF
04-May-99 1:58 PM EDT (1758 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[21] FRANCE MERCENARY (L/S VER) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: BOB DENARD, A FRENCH MERCENARY CREDITED WITH INVOLVEMENT IN 18 COUPS D'ETAT IN AFRICA, WENT ON TRIAL IN PARIS TUESDAY FOR THE MURDER OF A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE COMORO ISLANDS. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: THE SELF-STYLED "COLONEL DENARD" IS A MAN CREDITED BY SOME WITH "PRIVATIZING" FRANCE'S INTERVENTIONIST AFRICA POLICY, ONE UNDER WHICH FRANCE WOULD SEND IN ITS TROOPS TO BACK UP FRIENDLY REGIMES IN ITS FORMER COLONIES.

COLONEL DENARD WAS ONE OF THE CHARACTERS FOR THE NOVEL "THE DOGS OF WAR" BY THE BRITISH NOVELIST FREDERICK FORSYTHE WHO CAME ACROSS HIM IN BIAFRA IN NIGERIA 30 YEAR AGO.

HIS BIOGRAPHERS CLAIM DENARD HAS PLAYED A CENTRAL ROLE IN 18 DIFFERENT COUPS D'ETAT THROUGHOUT AFRICA. //END OPT/// NOW, THE 70-YEAR-OLD BOB DENARD AND TWO OF HIS ACCOMPLICES ARE ON TRIAL FOR THE MURDER OF COMORAN PRESIDENT AHMED ABDALLAH IN 1989.

THE DEFENDANTS ARE ACCUSED OF SHOOTING THE PRESIDENT, WHEN "COLONEL" DENARD WAS THE HEAD OF THE PRESIDENTIAL GUARD. THEY DENY THIS, SAYING THE PRESIDENT WAS KILLED WHEN A BODYGUARD OPENED FIRE. THE BODYGUARD WAS ALSO KILLED IN THE INCIDENT.

AS JURY MEMBERS WERE CHOSEN FOR THE TRIAL IN PARIS, "COLONEL" DENARD ASKED TO BE RELEASED FROM CUSTODY, SAYING HE IS NOT A DANGER TO FRENCH SOCIETY.

[22] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN SHARPLY TODAY (TUESDAY) ONE DAY AFTER THE HISTORIC CLOSE OF THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE ABOVE 11 THOUSAND. V-O-A BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10 THOUSAND 886, DOWN 128 POINTS OR ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 13 HUNDRED 32, DOWN 22 POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX LOST TWO PERCENT.

ANALYSTS SAY THE SELL-OFF WAS A COMBINATION OF PROFIT-TAKING AND SOME RENEWED UNEASINESS ABOUT POSSIBLE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES IN THE U-S ECONOMY.

AN INDEX DESIGNED TO FORECAST FUTURE U-S ECONOMIC ACTIVITY WAS UP ONE-TENTH OF ONE PERCENT IN MARCH, ITS SIXTH STRAIGHT MONTHLY INCREASE.

STOCK OF THE GOLDMAN SACHS INVESTMENT FIRM TRADED FOR THE FIRST TIME AND PROMPTLY ROSE BY ALMOST 50 PERCENT. THE COMPANY, WHICH IS ONE OF WALL STREET'S PREMIER FIRMS, IS ENDING 130 YEARS AS A PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

GENERAL MOTORS REPORTS ITS U-S SALES DECLINED BY MORE THAN FOUR PERCENT IN APRIL. THE BIGGEST DECLINE CAME IN G-M'S CHEVROLET DIVISION WHICH SAW AN 11 PERCENT SALES DROP. GETRONIC, THE DUTCH TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, WILL PAY TWO BILLION DOLLARS FOR THE WANG COMPANY OF THE UNITED STATES. THE DEAL WILL CREATE EUROPE'S LARGEST PROVIDER OF COMPUTER SERVICES.

THE SARA LEE CONSUMER PRODUCTS COMPANY WILL PROCEED WITH A HOSTILE TAKEOVER BID FOR CHOCK FULL O'NUTS, A U-S COFFEE ROASTER. CHOCK FULL O'NUTS SAYS SARA LEE'S 223 MILLION DOLLAR CASH OFFER IS INADEQUATE. SARA LEE IS NOW INVITING CHOCK FULL O'NUTS STOCKHOLDERS TO SELL THEIR SHARES DIRECTLY TO SARA LEE.

A RESEARCH REPORT SAYS ON-LINE BROKERAGE FIRMS PROCESSED A RECORD 630 THOUSAND STOCK TRADES A DAY IN APRIL, A 40 PERCENT INCREASE OVER MARCH.

ALTHOUGH ON-LINE TRADING HAS PROVED TO BE A CONVENIENT, ECONOMICAL WAY OF INVESTING FOR MANY AMERICANS, THE TOP U-S SECURITIES REGULATOR IS WORRIED ABOUT A GROWING NUMBER OF SO-CALLED DAY TRADERS. THEY ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO QUICKLY BUY AND SELL STOCKS ON-LINE, HOPING TO REAP REWARDS FROM TINY MOVEMENTS IN STOCK PRICES. ARTHUR LEVITT, HEAD OF THE U-S SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, SAYS DAY TRADING BY AMATEURS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS.

SOME ARGUE THAT DAY TRADING IS NOTHING MORE THAN SPECULATION AND SPECULATION IS NOT NEW TO OUR MARKETS. PERSONALLY, I DO NOT THINK DAY TRADERS ARE SPECULATING BECAUSE SPECULATORS REQUIRE SOME KNOWLEDGE OF THE MARKET. INSTEAD, THEY ARE GAMBLING.

MR. LEVITT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT MOST AMATEUR DAY TRADERS HAVE NO IDEA WHAT RISKS THEY ARE TAKING. HE CITED A RECENT STUDY WHICH SHOWS THAT ABOUT 95 PERCENT OF DAY TRADERS LOSE MONEY.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/EJ/PT
04-May-99 5:15 PM EDT (2115 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[23] TUESDAY'S HEADLINES BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE PERSONAL DIPLOMACY OF THE REVEREND JESSE JACKSON IN OBTAINING THE RELEASE OF THREE U-S ARMY MEN HELD BY SERB FORCES, CONTINUES TO BE THE DOMINANT EDITORIAL THEME IN THE NATION'S PRESS THIS TUESDAY.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: THE PENDING ISRAELI ELECTION AND THE DELICATE QUESTION OF DECLARING PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD; A NEW PRESIDENT, AND THE FIRST WOMAN, EVER TO GOVERN PANAMA; THE CONTROVERSY CONTINUES OVER WHAT'S CALLED GULF WAR SYNDROME; AND A DISCOVERY HIGH ATOP THE WORLD'S TALLEST MOUNTAIN. NOW, HERE IS _____________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE SUGGESTING THAT THE RELEASE OF THE THREE AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR MAY GIVE BOTH SIDES IN THE BALKANS AN OPENING TO USE DIPLOMACY TO END THE CONFLICT. BUT MANY SAY THE BOMBING SHOULD CONTINUE UNTIL NATO'S FULL GOALS ARE MET. IN OHIO, "THE AKRON BEACON JOURNAL" ASKS: "HALT THE BOMBING?" THEN ANSWERS: "EVEN A TEMPORARY BREAK WOULD BE UNWISE. THE NEWLY DIPLOMATIC [MR.] MILOSEVIC? THE AIR STRIKES INSPIRED HIM." HOWEVER, "THE ORLANDO [FLORIDA] SENTINEL" SUGGESTS AN "URGENT NEED FOR DIPLOMACY," ADDING, THE:

VOICE: ... RELEASE OF THREE U-S SERVICEMEN PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO REFOCUS ATTENTION ON DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS. ... THE LONGER THE WAR CONTINUES, THE MORE PROBLEMS ARE LIKELY TO ARISE. AS AMERICANS WELCOME THE THREE SERVICEMEN HOME, REDIRECTING MORE EFFORTS TOWARD DIPLOMACY HAS BECOME MORE URGENT.

TEXT: "THE KANSAS CITY STAR" SUGGESTS THAT IT WAS THE NATO AIR STRIKES THAT AIDED IN THE RELEASE OF THE THREE AMERICAN PRISONERS.

VOICE: AN UNSETTLED SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC GOT A FULL DOSE OF THE JESSE JACKSON TREATMENT, COMPLETE WITH PATS ON THE CHEST, A HAND-HOLDING PRAYER CIRCLE, A LITTLE PSYCHOBABBLE (I.E. FOOLISH TALK THAT SOUNDS SCIENTIFIC) AND SOME DEFERENTIAL TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING A "BOLD MOVE.' ... WHILE (MR.) JACKSON DESERVES CREDIT FOR HIS PERSISTENCE AND HIS BRAVERY, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT HIS INITIATIVE ... WAS OBVIOUSLY HELPED BY THE DEVASTATION ... NATO AIR STRIKES ARE CONTINUING TO DELIVER ...

TEXT: RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA'S "NEWS AND OBSERVER" CALLS THE RELEASE "ONE POSITIVE STEP," BUT REMINDS: "... THE WELFARE OF OPPRESSED REFUGEES AND THE DEATHS OF THOUSANDS IN YUGOSLAVIA REMAIN THE REAL ISSUES." AND IN TEXAS, "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" SUMS UP:

VOICE: THERE IS ALWAYS GOOD REASON TO WORRY ABOUT SELF-APPOINTED DIPLOMATS WITHOUT PORTFOLIO ... BUT IF JESSE JACKSON, OR A LEGITIMATE DIPLOMAT LIKE MR. [VICTOR CHERNOMYRDIN, RUSSIA'S SPECIAL EMISSARY ON THE BALKANS] CHERNOMYRDIN, CAN EFFECTIVELY MOVE THE BALKAN CONFLICT CLOSER TOWARD A RESOLUTION, THEN MORE POWER TO HIM.

TEXT: AND LASTLY ON THIS TOPIC, "THE SAN JOSE [CALIFORNIA] MERCURY NEWS" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: WHATEVER THE MERITS OF THE BOMBING - - AND IT IS DEBATABLE ON MORAL AND PRACTICAL GROUNDS - - THE RELEASE OF THE SOLDIERS IS IRRELEVANT TO THE DEBATE OVER IT.

TEXT: BOTH "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE" NOTE THAT TODAY MARKS THE OFFICIAL END OF THE OSLO PEACE PROCESS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS. ACCORDING TO "THE TRIBUNE:"

VOICE: TECHNICALLY, THE 1993 OSLO PEACE PROCESS THAT WON A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FOR YITZHAK RABIN, SHIMON PERES AND YASSER ARAFAT, AND BROUGHT SUCH HOPE TO THE HOLY LAND EXPIRES TUESDAY - - THE OFFICIAL DEADLINE FOR ISRAEL AND THE P-L-O TO HAVE REACHED A PERMANENT SETTLEMENT. ... THANKFULLY, PRESIDENT CLINTON AND OTHER WORLD LEADERS ... SUCCEEDED IN PERSUADING PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY PRESIDENT YASSER ARAFAT NOT TO MAKE GOOD ON HIS THREAT TO UNILATERALLY DECLARE AN INDEPENDENT PALESTINIAN STATE TUESDAY. ... OSLO PREVAILED AND PEACE TALKS WILL GO ON. /// OPT /// [MR.] ARAFAT ... KNEW THAT DECLARING A STATE MIGHT IMPROVE [PRIME MINISTER] NETANYAHU'S CHANCES OF WINNING THE MAY 17 [TH] ISRAELI ELECTIONS. ... NOW, OPPOSITION LABOR LEADER EHUD BARAK, A FORMER GENERAL, IS PULLING AHEAD OF LIKUD'S [MR.] NETANYAHU IN THE POLLS ... ISRAEL'S FUTURE HANGS IN THE BALANCE. AFTER A HALF-CENTURY OF WARS, IT SHOULD BE PAINFULLY OBVIOUS TO ISRAELIS THAT ONLY A PEACE WITH ALL ISRAEL'S NEIGHBORS WILL GIVE THE JEWISH STATE ANY LONG-TERM SECURITY. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: PANAMA HAS JUST ELECTED ITS FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT, MIREYA MOSCOSO. ACCORDING TO THE "MIAMI HERALD," THE VOTE GIVES THE CENTRAL AMERICAN NATION THE POSSIBILITY OF REAL CHANGE.

VOICE: WITH PROMISES OF AN END TO THE CORRUPTION THAT HAS BECOME SOMETHING OF A HALLMARK FOR PANAMA IN RECENT TIMES, MIREYA MOSCOSO WON A FIVE-YEAR TERM AS PRESIDENT ON SUNDAY. THE FIRST WOMAN TO HEAD PANAMA'S GOVERNMENT, SHE HAS LITTLE DIRECT EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD BUT SEEMS INTENT ON BRINGING POSITIVE CHANGE. WE WISH HER WELL.

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, "THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION" IN JACKSONVILLE IS WONDERING WHETHER THE ISSUE OF SO-CALLED "GULF WAR SYNDROME" A VARIETY OF ILLNESSES AFFLICTING MANY VETERANS OF THAT CONFLICT, SHOULD BE DISCREDITED.

VOICE: WITH TWO MORE EXPLANATIONS FOR WHAT IS CALLED THE GULF WAR SYNDROME HAVING BEEN RULED OUT, IT IS TIME TO QUESTION WHETHER THERE IS, IN FACT, A CAUSE TO THE MALADY. THE PENTAGON NOW HAS CONCLUDED THAT GULF WAR VETERANS LIKELY WERE N O T EXPOSED TO CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS AT AN INDUSTRIAL SITE IN KUWAIT, ALTHOUGH THE POSSIBILITY CAN'T BE RULED OUT, AND THAT TROOPS WEREN'T HARMED BY EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM. /// OPT /// ... THOUSANDS OF THE 700-THOUSAND U-S SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT IN THE GULF WAR HAVE COMPLAINED OF CHRONIC, UNEXPLAINED MALADIES SUCH AS FATIGUE, JOINT PAIN AND MEMORY LOSS. BUT, DESPITE NUMEROUS IN DEPTH STUDIES, RESEARCHERS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LINK THE SYMPTOMS TO ANY PARTICULAR DISEASE OR WARFARE AGENTS. /// END OPT /// ... NO ONE DOUBTS THAT SOME VETERANS ARE SICK. BUT THAT IS NOT THE SAME AS SAYING THAT IT WAS A RESULT OF MILITARY SERVICE, WHICH COULD BE THE BASIS FOR AN EXPENSIVE MEDICAL ENTITLEMENT. A CAUTIOUS APPROACH IS WARRANTED.

TEXT: LASTLY, A MYSTERY REVEALED ON THE ICY SLOPES NEAR THE SUMMIT OF MOUNT EVEREST, WHERE A TEAM OF AMERICANS HAVE FOUND THE FROZEN BODY OF ENGLISHMAN GEORGE LEIGH MALLORY AFTER 75 YEARS. "THE BOSTON GLOBE" HAILS THE DISCOVERY OF THE MAN MANY FEEL MAY HAVE BEEN THE FIRST HUMAN TO REACH THE SUMMIT OF THE WORLD'S HIGHEST MOUNTAIN WITH ANDREW IRVINE IN 1924. BOTH MEN DISAPPEARED DURING THE CLIMB, AND WERE NEVER SEEN AGAIN. "THE GLOBE" MARVELS.

VOICE: NO OTHER MYSTERY OF MOUNTAINEERING COMPARES WITH THE SPECULATION OVER THEIR FATE. NO OTHER EXPLANATION OF WHY ANYONE WOULD RISK A LIFE TO STAND ATOP A PIECE OF ROCK CAN TOUCH MALLORY'S TERSE AND ALL-ENCOMPASSING 'BECAUSE IT'S THERE.' ... THE CRUCIAL QUESTION IS: DID THE TWO MAKE IT TO THE SUMMIT? EVEN IF THEY DID, A SUCCESSFUL FIRST CLIMB MEANS LIVING TO TELL THE TALE, AND THE GLORY FOR THAT WILL ALWAYS BELONG TO SIR EDMUND HILLARY AND TENZING NORGAY, WHO ACCOMPLISHED IT IN 1953.

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM TUESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/GE
04-May-99 11:34 AM EDT (1534 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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